Hernan Crespo has been talking about how it's difficult being Lionel Messi and has spoken about how he'd love to see the Barcelona captain lift the World Cup with Argentina.
Messi’s lack of success at international level is often used against him when it comes to GOAT debates, but Crespo says it takes nothing away from his greatness.
"It is very difficult to be Messi, no one can put himself in his place, at the time, put himself in Maradona's place. It is impossible to know what they think and how they live," Crespo said.
The former striker of Inter & Chelsea was in the same Argentina team with very young Leo Messi during the 2006 World Cup in Germany. "It makes me happy to see him play in the national team. I would love, as an Argentine, to see him world champion.
"Leo is a guy who has been on a very high level for many years, always working," said Crespo.
"His thing goes much further than any players. He is an example of professionals, with seriousness, honesty, correctness. Messi is more outstanding globally than we think and I think he's much more than a great football player," he added.
For Crespo, Messi will not cease to be "immense" if he does not win a World Cup because he is "beyond a title". "In fact, if you start thinking, it's football that owes Messi," he said.
Mosanya
2606
Messi deserve a World Cup Buffon deserve a Champions League Totti deserve a Champions League Robben deserve a World Cup Zlatan deserves a big mouth
ronnie_luv
822
if Football owes Messi and Ronaldo a World Cup then Football owes Lingard a Special d'or, Pogba a Salon d'or, Neymar a Diving d'or and Karius a Goalkeeping lesson 😂😂😂
raynknight
336
For sure , The MaGician from ArGentina deserves a World Cup 🏆 - The Greatest Treasure of FooTball Leo is and He is surely "Beyond a Title"
THEBLAUGRANA
246
Messi deserves a world cup like how Liverpool deserve to win the league title 😏😏
raynknight
201
" For me Messi is a gift from the footballing gods - He’s just such a phenomenal talent, a player that doesn’t only best people but memorises them and produces magical moments, scores a multitude of goals and he’s always an honest player. “He gets kicked, he gets hacked, he gets up. He never dives, he doesn’t cheat. He’s just a brilliant example for footballers everywhere. - As for that Messi just edges everyone in the sense that he’s more of a team player. - Messi always makes the right decisions, whether to pass or whether just to finish. The man’s a Pure genius. - Messi scores as many goals and he also makes goals for those around him. He's been doing that for a decade with hardly a murmur about him other than a steady flow of praise." - "FOOTBALL OWES MESSI A WORLD CUP 🏆"